Chapter 15:
On the first of January the small family of four went to the hospital wing as they always did on the first day of the month. It was becoming somewhat of a routine. Hermione wondered how old her children would be in an hour's time. She was incredibly nervous, what if they suddenly became a handful… or they no longer loved her…
She leant into Draco's side. They were holding hands whilst the children walked slightly ahead of them. "Are you alright love? You seem slightly nervous."
"Yeah… I'm just being silly," Hermione blushed.
"It's not silly," Draco smiled, "I'm nervous too."
"You are?" Hermione asked, feeling less silly now.
"Of course. Anything could happen," Draco admitted. "But I know that whatever happens, we will face it together."
He opened the door to the hospital wing and led his family into the waiting area. They sat opposite Ron and Pansy. Aurora went to play with Ilenia and Natascia whilst Curtis sat on his daddy's lap. When their names were called out Hermione and Draco led Aurora and Curtis towards the matron.
"Hello Curtis, hello Aurora," Madam Pomfrey said to the children, "how are you today?"
"Very good, thank you" Curtis replied, ever the gentleman.
Aurora giggled, "I'm very happy."
"And whys that?"
"Santa brought us amazing Christmas presents and Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit," Aurora replied. They had received a letter the night before saying that Narcissa and Lucius were coming to spend the day with them. They would be arriving shortly after their check up.
"That's exciting," Madam Pomfrey smiled. She looked up to see Hermione's worried eyes and smiled kindly at the poor girl.
"Well, you both look super healthy!" Madam Pomfrey told the children, "Mummy and daddy are doing a great job looking after you. If we just perform your grow up spell then I'll let you go get ready for your guests."
She quickly cast the spell and their legs and arms began to grow. Soon the children were more than double their original size. Hermione and Draco smiled nervously down at their five year old children. They left the hospital wing in a bit of a rush. Hermione read the literature as they walked.
What you have missed…
Your child can now talk well using sentences…
Your child will sing nursery rhymes…
Your child will draw recognisable pictures of people…
Your child will now be using a knife and fork…
Mistakes Parents Make…
Straying too much from routines…
Focusing on the negative…
Missing the warning signs…
Encouraging whining…
Overscheduling your child…
Underestimating the importance of play…
Getting distracted by the daily grind…
Overreacting to lies…
Five year olds need about ten to twelve hours of sleep.
7 am – wake up
8am – breakfast
10am – Snack (fruit/ biscuits/ yoghurt)
12pm – Lunch
3:00pm – Snack (fruit/ biscuits/ yoghurt)
4pm – Pick up from daycare
6pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Bathtime, Stories, Milk and Bed
"The routine hasn't changed much," Hermione smiled, "just slightly less sleep."
"Sounds good," Draco smiled, he pulled her hand up to his lips to kiss, "I'm a creature of habit."
When they returned to their dorm, they quickly tidied up and gave the children yoghurt for their snack. Hermione quickly wiped their faces with a flannel just as the dragon roared announcing that someone was at their portrait hole. Aurora and Curtis looked up expectantly. Hermione looked terrified but quickly regained her composure as she helped the children down from the table. Draco answered the door, "Mother, Father, good to see you."
"Ah Draco," Narcissa hugged her son tightly. Lucius shook his hand, "where are they then?" Narcissa asked excitably.
"Erm… of course. Come through. You know Hermione of course," Draco said politely.
"Ah, Miss Granger," Lucius smiled, "It's good to see you again and under much more pleasant circumstances."
Hermione smiled kindly, "yes sir."
"Oh my dear, please don't call me sir," Lucius chuckled, "it makes me feel so old."
Narcissa didn't wait a moment, she engulfed Hermione in a bone splintering hug, "I'm so sorry for everything."
Hermione was so taken a back, "Narcissa, you are scaring the poor girl. Hermione, would you please introduce us to your children."
"Yes Lucius," it felt so strange being on first named basis with Lucius Malfoy. Draco held her hand, squeezing it gently, encouraging her ever so slightly. He couldn't believe how well she was handling this. "Well this little angel is Aurora and this little tyke is Curtis."
"Aurora, Curtis, nice to meet you," Lucius leant down so that he was at their level, "I'm your grandfather."
The rest of the day went well. Narcissa and Lucius were constantly badgered by the children, "watch me, hug me, look at me…" it was an unending game of trying to be the centre of attention. Narcissa took time to get to know Hermione. She admired the way she was with the children. Not many women would have been so capable after only a few months of parenthood.
Harry and Daphne came to visit for half an hour in the middle of the afternoon. They said it was so Castore could show off his new broom but both Hermione and Draco were fully aware that they were checking that everything was okay.
Mr and Mrs Malfoy stayed late enough that Mrs Malfoy could help bath the children and put them to bed. When it was time for them to leave, they both hugged Hermione as if she were family before saying goodbye to them both. Hermione and Draco stood in the middle of the common room just looking at each other after the portrait hole had closed behind them. "Well that went better than I expected," Draco smiled, "How are you?"
"I'm in shock," Hermione laughed, "your parents were nice to me."
Draco laughed, "They were weren't they."
"They even apologised," Hermione was completely taken aback.
"Speaking about that Hermione, sit down, we need to talk," Draco said, suddenly incredibly serious.
Hermione was suddenly really nervous as she sat on the sofa. Draco knelt on the floor in front of her and took her hands, "they aren't the only ones who need to apologise."
"Draco…"
"No. I need to say this. You can't stop me. Please don't stop me," he begged. Hermione nodded her head and waited for him to continue. "I've spent my entire life trying to be the perfect son of a deatheater. I did as I was told – even when I didn't like it. I believed what they expected me to believe. You suffered because of it."
He rolled up her sleeve to show where his aunt had tortured her, "I used to call you this name. I'm sorry." He kissed the scar. "I allowed her to do this to you. I'm so sorry." He kissed it again. "I hurt you. I'm sorry." He kissed it once more. "There are too many things that I have done for me to possibly kiss it all better but I promise I will spend the rest of my life trying, if you'll let me."
"I love you, Hermione," Draco finished. He pulled out a beautiful little box and opened it to show her the most beautiful, old fashioned ring she had ever seen. It had a large green emerald at the centre surrounded by diamonds. "Will you marry me?"
Hermione's mouth went dry and she struggled to speak, "Yes… yes Draco…"
He put his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her passionately. When he pulled away he placed the ring on her finger and kissed it, "mine forever."
"Yours… I love you Draco," Hermione smirked.
"I love that smirk on you, Granger," Draco said before leaning in for another kiss.
I really don't know where that came from... lol.